Non-Linear Surfactant

ABSTRACT

A non-linear surfactant, and particularly a non-linear surfactant comprising bi-functionalized molecules or particles having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups. The non-linear surfactant includes a nanoparticle template of a rigid molecular structure, wherein the nanoparticle comprises a molecule or a particle that is bi-functionalized with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups to obtain an amphiphilic nanoparticle. The template nanoparticle can be used as a surfactant, wetting agent, emulsifier, detergent or other surface active agents or for the preparation of nanoemulsions or dispersions. The non-linear surfactant can provide smaller particle sizes for emulsion suspensions and foams.

The present disclosure claims priority on U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 62/681,922 filed Jun. 7, 2018, which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a non-linear surfactant, andparticularly to a non-linear surfactant comprising bi-functionalizedmolecules or particles having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups.The non-linear surfactant includes a nanoparticle template of a rigidmolecular structure, wherein the nanoparticle comprises a molecule or aparticle that is bi-functionalized with both hydrophilic and hydrophobicgroups to obtain an amphiphilic nanoparticle. The template nanoparticlecan be used as a surfactant, wetting agent, emulsifier, detergent orother surface active agents or for the preparation of nano-emulsions ordispersions. The non-linear surfactant can provide smaller particlesizes for emulsion suspensions and foams.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The interface between phase boundaries can be of several types dependingon whether the adjacent phases are a solid, a liquid, or a gas.Generally, the most common are interfaces between either aliquid-liquid, liquid-solid, liquid-gas, solid-solid, or multiplecombinations of these types of phase interface interactions. Withinthese phases are the interfacial interaction differences that are foundbetween hydrophilic, hydrophobic, lipophilic, siliphilic, andfluorophilic interactions.

The phenomena of interfacial interactions between substances is asignificant part of our daily lives. Our very biological makeup relieson these interactions. These interfacial interactions include theformation and stability of emulsions, and the dispersions of insolubleparticles into a liquid medium to form suspensions.

Surfactants are used to lower surface tensions between immiscible phasesby favorably interfacing with both phases. Surfactants contain two ormore different chemical interfacing regions. These interfacing regionsare made up of chemical moieties that have favorable interactions withsimilar intermolecular forces. The types of interaction include ionicattraction, hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole forces, and London forces.

The most general type of surfactant is amphiphilic, in which themolecular structure possesses a hydrophobic region (non-polar) and ahydrophilic region (polar), “water disliking” and “water liking”respectively. Possessing regions of opposite characteristics enables thesurfactant to be soluble in both organic solvents and water.

A surfactant's bi-intermolecular force nature enables it to resideinbetween the interfacial boundaries of two immiscible materials, thuslowering surface tension generated between the two material phases. Whentwo materials are immiscible, they possess no intermolecular forceinteractions, which creates a molecular environment with restrictions—asurface barrier. This restriction in molecular freedom creates an areaof potential intermolecular tension, i.e. surface tension. If the twoliquids mixed are completely miscible (having molecular interactionsthat are alike), then no interfacial tension exists between them.

Surfactants act at the surface between the mixing materials. Within anemulsion system, the surfactants lower the surface energy experienced bythe mixture system, thus enabling the immiscible phases to dispersethroughout the solution mixture. For example, in a common surfactantdetergent, the hydrophilic region faces and interacts with the watermatrix and the hydrophobic region faces and interacts with the organicmatrix. These interactions in an emulsion dispersion act to stabilizesuspended particle forms that include spherical and cylindricalmicelles, and bilayers.

The surfactant's dual interfacial properties enable it to behave as awetting agent on solid surfaces and a foaming agent between gas-liquidphase boundaries. The amphiphilic nature of these agents helps inremoving dirt/stains ingrained or bound to surfaces through its loweringof the surface energy interaction between lipophilic-dirt/stains and theaqueous washing solution, so that dirt/stains may be entrapped anddissociated into the washing solution. Lowering the surface tension ofthe aqueous wash solution enables the dirt/stains, which primarilyconsist of lipophilic oils and grease, to be captured and suspended intothe aqueous wash within the forming emulsion.

Surfactants have various applications and can be used as detergents,dispersants, emulsifiers, wetting agents, coupling agents and for othersimilar purposes as well, with detergents being the most common use ofthe surfactants. The detergents in a solution help through solubilizinga variety of chemical species by dissociating bigger aggregates intosmall particle size by lowering the interfacial energies between the twophases. Achieving a finer particle size is considered an importantcharacteristic of a surfactant-detergent as it enables particlesuspensions to last longer and provides more interfacial surface areafor a number of potential activities, i.e., taste, reactivity,extraction rates, and transportation.

Surfactants have further applications in several industries includingagriculture, food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and petroleum. In thefood industry, the surfactants, specifically bio-surfactants, are usedto control fat globules aggregation, stabilization of emulsions,improving shelf life of products, and improving texture of fat-basedproducts.

Furthermore, surfactants also play a major role in the petroleumindustry and, specifically, in the process of oil recovery. Thesurfactants are used under the tertiary recovery method in the processof oil recovery. Recovering oil from subsurface reservoirs involves manyfactors that play a significant role in determining the effectiveness ofoil recovery. Such factors include the amount of interfacial tensionbetween brine and residual oil, mobility of the brine, property of therock surfaces (particularly the wettability feature), and other factors.Often surfactants are used to produce emulsions and adsorb onto theinterface between the two phases. Amphiphilic surfactants areparticularly preferred in such applications.

Additionally to the above described applications, surfactants play amajor role as compatibilizing agents, also termed “coupling agents”.Compatibilizing agents are added to a blend of immiscible polymers toincrease the stability of the composite mixture. These agents do so byenabling the two immiscible polymers to interact with lower interfacialtensions. The interaction stabilizes the intermatrix system and enhancesthe system's mechanical properties. The reduction in the size of thephase-separated particles results in the increased stability of theimmiscible polymers blend.

Traditional surfactants are comprised of a polar head group and anon-polar tail, possessing a linear mobile amorphous structure, which isdepicted in FIGS. 2 and 5. This arrangement is sufficient for formingmicelles and laminar layers in surface adsorption and making emulsions.The type of structure formed is dependent on the surfactant molecularstructure, surfactant and matrix chemical properties, temperature, andpH. The majority of common surfactants are linear, which includeseveryday surfactants such as sodium dodecyl benzene sulfate, laurylmonoethanol, glycerol diesters, sorbitan monoester, and many others.Traditional linear surfactants possess critical micellar concentrations(CMC) that range from 5 mM to fully soluble in solutions. The CMC is ameasure of the concentration at which a surfactant forms micelles, andconcentrations above this mark immediately form more micelles. The CMCis used as a characteristic measurement for surfactant properties,informing of its affinity for forming micelles and surface interactions.The lower the surfactant CMC, the more active it is towards functioningas a surface active agent.

Another less traditional linear class of surfactants include Geminisurfactants, which are comprised of two surfactants connected togetherthrough a spacer. The surface activation for Gemini surfactants isessentially an extension of the monomer formed of traditional linearsurfactants, but the binding of two molecules introduces a constrainingeffect on the surfactant's ability to arrange into complex structures.Gemini surfactants tend to have lower CMC values as compared totraditional surfactants, and are generally considered superior in termsof surface activity.

As detailed in this disclosure, non-linear surfactants have an improvedsurface activating characteristic due to their rigid structure andfacial area contact. They possess lower solubility and CMC, which spansa large concentration rage. Non-linear surfactants are predisposed forforming dimeric and smaller micellar structures. Their rigid structureforces smaller micelle shapes as they are not freely mobile on thesurface like traditional linear surfactants as illustrated in FIGS. 1,3, 4, and 6. The most notable non-linear surfactants are bile acids, aclass of bio-derived sterols that aid in the digestion of fats andvitamins in all mammals. These biological surfactant-detergents haveevolved due to the large range of required CMCs to work effectivelyregardless of diet and food intake, and their propensity to form smallemulsion micelles that are able to be adsorbed through intestinalepithelial lining.

In many surface activating uses, it is desirable to have high affinityfor surface adsorption and formation of submicron micellar structures.This includes, for example, the formation of nanoemulsions, which havehigher sweep efficiency in oil-sand separations, and lower volumetreatments for surface modifications.

In view of the current state of the prior art of surfactants, there is aneed for surfactants that are engineered to have both rigid hydrophobicand hydrophilic groups enabling small sized dispersion particles thatcan effectively provide flexible functionality in a variety of desiredinterfacially controlled applications.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a non-linear surfactant comprisingbi-functionalized molecules or particles having both hydrophobic andhydrophilic groups. The non-linear surfactant includes a nanoparticletemplate of a rigid molecular structure, wherein the nanoparticlecomprises a molecule or a particle that is bi-functionalized with bothhydrophilic and hydrophobic groups to obtain an amphiphilicnanoparticle. The template nanoparticle can be used as a surfactant,wetting agent, emulsifier, detergent or other surface active agents, orfor the preparation of nanoemulsions or dispersions. The non-linearsurfactant can offer smaller particle sizes for emulsion suspensions andfoams. The surfactant of the present disclosure is engineered to haveboth rigid hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups enabling small sizeddispersion particles that can effectively provide flexible functionalityin a variety of desired interfacially controlled applications.

In one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant possesses geometric dimensions that are rigid, therebyresulting in planar or three-dimensional structures with two or moreinterfacial regions. Non-limiting example structures are illustrated inFIGS. 1, 3, and 4. The rigid structure of the non-linear surfactant maybe constructed from molecular organic ring structures, such as thesteroid or terpene chemical classes, or from inorganic crystalstructures like TiO₂, SiO, or iron particles. A simple known example ofthree-dimensional particles with two or more distinct physicalproperties are called Janus particles. The present disclosure expands onthese non-linear surfactant designs and their applicable use in a numberof industry surface activating uses.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a non-linear surfactant comprising a template nanoparticlehaving a rigid structure.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a non-linear surfactant comprising multi-functionalizedparticles with functionality affinities for hydrophobic, hydrophilic,lipophilic, siliphilic, fluorophilic, and other chemical affinities.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a non-linear surfactant comprising bi-functionalized particleswith both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a non-linear surfactant comprising a nanoparticle templatehaving either or both organic and inorganic structural rigid non-linearframe.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a non-linear surfactant that enhances the interfacialinteractions among the solution's composition members.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided an amphiphilic non-linear surfactant having surfacecharacteristics that provide increased efficiency by increasing surfaceactivity.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided an amphiphilic non-linear surfactant having surfacecharacteristics that provide increased emulsion efficiency by decreasingthe micelle particle size.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided an inorganic rigid particle template for a non-linearsurfactant that is obtained from common and naturally abundant metals,metal oxides, ceramics, and mixtures thereof.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided an inorganic rigid particle template for a non-linearsurfactant that can be selected from graphene, inorganic oxidenanoparticles, nanofibers, and nanoplatelets.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a non-linear surfactant comprising amphiphilic particlesincluding, but not limited to, titanium oxide, silica, graphene, andother inorganic particles, fibers, and platelets.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided an organic version of a non-linear rigid surfactant thatincludes carbon ring systems, such as the sterols and terpenes and, morespecifically, bile acids and salts, cholesterol, abietic acid, and theirderivatives, which have a planar separation between its hydrophobic andhydrophilic facial regions.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a rigid particle template for a non-linear surfactant obtainedas a by-product of the animal-processing industry, plant-basedagricultural processing industry, or petroleum-processing industry.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the particleof the non-linear surfactant of the present disclosure provides for thesmaller dispersant size of the surfactant in solutions and the reducedsize is 10-100 times (and all values and ranges therebetween) of thegeneral particle size in an emulsion.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the templatenanoparticle of the present disclosure is used as a surfactant, wettingagent, compatibilizer, coupling agent, emulsifier, detergent or othersurface active agents, or for the preparation of nanoemulsions ordispersions.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure is used in the domain selectedfrom, but not limited to, oil extraction and recovery, environmentalremediation, surface cleaning, cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations,cancer therapy, composite materials, and others.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure comprises a nanoparticle templateof a rigid molecular structure wherein the nanoparticle comprisesmulti-functional molecular regions.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, thenanoparticle in the nanoparticle template of the non-linear surfactantincludes molecular structures ranging in size from 0.2-1,000 nm (and allvalues and ranges therebetween).

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, thenanoparticle template of the non-linear surfactant is composed of aplanar or three-dimensional molecular shape that results in fixeddomains of multi-functional molecular regions wherein themulti-functionalized nanoparticle has two or more functional properties.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, thenanoparticle template of the non-linear surfactant includes two or moreof the functional properties of ionic surface charge, hydrophilic,hydrophobic, lipophilic, omniphobic, and omniphilic.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, thenanoparticle template of the non-linear surfactant includes one or bothof an organic and an inorganic base template structure.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, thenanoparticle functional properties in the nanoparticle template of thenon-linear surfactant include functional groups that include alcohols,carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles, aldehydes,boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes, alkylhalides, nitro, and alkyls.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, thenanoparticle template of the non-linear surfactant includes an organicring structure support template that is a derivative of terpenes,terpenoids, sterols, graphenes, and their derivatives thereof, whichinclude the molecular structures of monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids,diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids,polyterpenoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes,triterpenes, sesquarterpenes, tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatichydrocarbons, bile acids, abietic acid and their derivatives thereof.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, thenanoparticle template of the non-linear surfactant includes one or moremetals, ceramics, cerments, metalloids, and mixtures thereof, whichinclude but are not limited to iron, aluminium, magnesium, titanium,tungsten, copper, titanium oxides, silicon oxides, iron oxides,aluminium oxides, magnesium oxides, boron oxides, tungsten oxides,tungsten carbide, boron carbide, silicon carbide, titanium carbide,titanium phosphates, silicon phosphates, clays, graphites, andcombinations thereof.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure comprises a nanoparticle templateof a rigid molecular structure, wherein the nanoparticle of thedisclosure comprises a molecule or a particle, bi-functionalized withboth hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups, to obtain an amphiphilicnanoparticle, wherein the nanoparticle can be used as a surfactant,wetting agent, emulsifier, detergent, or other surface active agents, orfor the preparation of nanoemulsions or dispersions.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure provides the advantages inapplications that include a broad range of detergents, propensity fornano-sized micelles, and rigid interfacial interaction betweenhydrophobic and hydrophilic substituents.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure, when used in a solution, promotesthe better interfacial interactions among the solution's compositionmembers.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure provides an improved adsorption,dissolution, mixing, surface modification, and/or compatibilization atconcentrations between 0.1 micromolar and 100 molar (and all values andranges therebetween).

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure has varied applications in thedomains including, but not limited to, oil and gas recovery,environmental remediation, surface cleaning solutions or agents,cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations, medical therapies and others.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure can be used in the areas including,but not limited to, reservoir wettability modification, oil viscosityreduction, drilling mud, isoelectric controlled surface absorbers,paraffin/asphalt deposition control, enhanced oil displacement,hydrocarbon dispersion, nanoemulsions, microbial-enhanced oil recovery,soil washing, remediation of oil spills, oil tank/container cleaning,unclogging of bore holes, composite formulations, pharmaceuticalformulations, cosmetic formulations, sweetening agents, taste masker,cell targeting, and other similar application areas.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure comprises bi-functionalizedmolecules and/or particles having both hydrophobic and hydrophilicgroups and includes a rigid molecular structure. The molecules and/orparticles are bi-functionalized with both hydrophilic and hydrophobicgroups to obtain an amphiphilic particle.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure comprises molecules and/orparticles and includes an organic ring structure support template ofmonoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids,triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids, polyterpenoids, monoterpenes,sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes, triterpenes, sesquarterpenes,tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, bile acids,abietic acid, and their derivatives thereof.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure contains molecules and/or particlesranging in size from 0.2-1,000 nm.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure is composed of a planar orthree-dimensional molecular shape that results in fixed domains ofmulti-functional molecular regions, wherein the multi-functionalizednanoparticle has two or more functional properties.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure comprises two or more of thefunctional properties of ionic surface charge, hydrophilic, hydrophobic,lipophilic, omniphobic, and omniphilic.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, thenanoparticle template to be used in the non-linear surfactant rigidstructure is composed of both or either organic and inorganic basetemplate structures.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure includes of functional groups thatinclude alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides,nitriles, aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes,alkynes, alkyl halides, nitro, alkyls.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure wherein the non-linear surfactantcomprises an organic ring structure support template that is aderivative of terpenes, terpenoids, sterols, graphenes, and theirderivatives thereof, which include the molecular structures ofmonoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids,triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids, polyterpenoids, monoterpenes,sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes, triterpenes, sesquarterpenes,tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, bile acids,abietic acid and their derivatives thereof.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure is comprised of one or more metals,ceramics, cerments, metalloids, and mixtures thereof, which include butare not limited to iron, aluminium, magnesium, titanium, tungsten,copper, titanium oxides, silicon oxides, iron oxides, aluminium oxides,magnesium oxides, boron oxides, tungsten oxides, tungsten carbide, boroncarbide, silicon carbide, titanium carbide, titanium phosphates, siliconphosphates, clays, graphites, and combinations thereof.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure can be used as a surfactant,wetting agent, emulsifier, detergent or other surface-active agents, orfor the preparation of nanoemulsions or dispersions.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure can be used in a broad range ofdetergents, propensity for nano-sized micelles, and rigid interfacialinteraction between hydrophobic and hydrophilic substituents.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure can be used in a solution topromote the better interfacial interactions among the solution'scomposition members.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure provides an improved adsorption,dissolution, mixing, surface modification, and/or compatibilization atconcentrations between 0.1 micromolar and 100 molar.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure has varied applications in thedomains including, but not limited to oil and gas recovery,environmental remediation, surface cleaning solutions or agents,cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations, medical therapies and others.

In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the non-linearsurfactant of the present disclosure can be used in the areas including,but not limited to, reservoir wettability modification, oil viscosityreduction, drilling mud, isoelectric controlled surface absorbers,paraffin/asphalt deposition control, enhanced oil displacement,hydrocarbon dispersion, nanoemulsions, microbial-enhanced oil recovery,soil washing, remediation of oil spills, oil tank/container cleaning,unclogging of bore holes, composite formulations, pharmaceuticalformulations, cosmetic formulations, sweetening agents, taste masker,cell targeting, and other similar application areas.

In one non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant comprising bi-functionalizedmolecules and/or particles having both hydrophobic and hydrophilicgroups.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant that includes a rigid molecularbase compound, the base compound bi-functionalized with both hydrophilicand hydrophobic functional groups to obtain an amphiphilic particle.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant wherein the base compound includesan organic and/or an inorganic material.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant wherein the base compound includesan organic material such as an organic ring structure support templateof abietic acid, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes,squalenes, terpenoids, sterols, graphenes, and their derivatives.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant wherein the base compound includesan organic material such as monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids,diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids,polyterpenoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes,triterpenes, sesquarterpenes, tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatichydrocarbons, bile acids, abietic acid, and their derivatives thereof.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant wherein the base compound has anaverage particle size of 0.2 nm to 1,000 nm (and all values and rangestherebetween), and typically 1-500 nm.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant wherein the one or more functiongroups that are formed on the surface of the base compound form an ionicsurface charge, a hydrophilic region, a hydrophobic region, a lipophilicregion, an omniphobic region, and/or an omniphilic region.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant wherein the one or more functionalgroups formed on the surface of the base compound include two or moregroups consisting of alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides,amides, nitriles, aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides,alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant that is attached to a base particlewherein the base particle includes one or more metals, ceramics,cerments, non-metals, plastics, resins, and/or metalloids.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant that is attached to a base particlewherein the base particle includes iron, aluminium, magnesium, titanium,tungsten, copper, titanium oxides, silicon oxides, iron oxides,aluminium oxides, magnesium oxides, boron oxides, tungsten oxides,tungsten carbide, boron carbide, silicon carbide, titanium carbide,titanium phosphates, silicon phosphates, clays, graphites, andcombinations thereof.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant that is attached to a baseparticle, and wherein the base particle has an average particle size of1 nm to 1 cm (and all values and ranges therebetween), and typically 10nm to 0.1 cm.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant that can be used as a surfactant,wetting agent, emulsifier, detergent or other surface active agents, orfor the preparation of nanoemulsions or dispersions.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant that can improve detergents,improve propensity for nano-sized micelles, and improve interfacialinteraction between hydrophobic and hydrophilic substituents.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant that can be used in a solution topromote better interfacial interactions among the solution's compositionmembers.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant that can provide an improvedadsorption, dissolution, mixing, surface modification, and/orcompatibilization at concentrations between 0.1 micromolar and 100 molar(and all values ad ranges therebetween).

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant that can used in variousapplications including oil and gas recovery, environmental remediation,surface cleaning solutions or agents, cosmetic and pharmaceuticalformulations, medical therapies and others.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a non-linear surfactant that can be used in reservoirwettability modification, oil viscosity reduction, drilling mud,isoelectric controlled surface absorbers, paraffin/asphalt depositioncontrol, enhanced oil displacement, hydrocarbon dispersion,nanoemulsions, microbial-enhanced oil recovery, soil washing,remediation of oil spills, oil tank/container cleaning, unclogging ofbore holes, composite formulations, pharmaceutical formulations,cosmetic formulations, sweetening agents, taste masker, cell targeting,and other similar application areas.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming a non-linear surfactant comprising a)providing a base compound, and b) reacting the base compound with anoxidative reagent.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming a non-linear surfactant comprising a)providing a base compound, and b) reacting the base compound with anoxidative reagent, wherein the base compound includes a compoundselected from the group consisting of abietic acid, polyaromatichydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids, sterols,graphenes and their derivatives, and wherein the oxidative reagentincludes a reagent selected from the group consisting of ozone, KMnO₄,H₂CrO₄, pyridinium chlorochromate, and peroxides to form a plurality offunctional groups on the base compound, the functional groups includingone or more groups selected from alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters,anhydrides, amides, nitriles, aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers,sulphides, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming a non-linear surfactant comprising a)providing a base compound, and b) reacting the base compound with anoxidative reagent, wherein the base compound includes a compoundselected from the group consisting of monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids,diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids,polyterpenoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes,triterpenes, sesquarterpenes, tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatichydrocarbons, bile acids, abietic acid, and their derivatives thereof.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming a non-linear surfactant comprising a)providing a base compound, and b) reacting the base compound with anoxidative reagent, wherein the base compound has an average particlesize of 0.2-1,000 nm (and all values and ranges therebetween).

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming a non-linear surfactant comprising a)providing a base compound, and b) reacting the base compound with anoxidative reagent, wherein the non-linear surfactant includes 50-99.9999wt. % base compound (and all values and ranges therebetween) and0.0001-50 wt. % functional groups (and all values and rangestherebetween).

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming a non-linear surfactant comprising a)providing a base compound, b) forming a mixture of the base compound,hydrophilic liquid and hydrophobic liquid, and c) adding an oxidativereagent to the mixture to cause the functional groups to form on thebase compound.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming a non-linear surfactant such as3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid,abieta-7,8,13,14-tetrahydroxy-18-oic-acid,abieta-7-ene-13,14dihydroxy-18-oic-acid, cholic acid, chenodeoxycholicacid, and other non-linear molecular surfactants.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming modified particles that includes asurfactant comprising a) providing particles, b) providing a non-linearsurfactant, and c) causing the non-linear surfactant to attach to asurface of a plurality of the particles.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming modified particles that includes asurfactant comprising a) providing particles, b) providing a non-linearsurfactant, and c) causing the non-linear surfactant to attach to asurface of a plurality of the particles, wherein the particles areformed of metal, ceramic, cerment, graphite, plastic, resins, ormetalloids, and wherein the non-linear surfactant is formed of a basecompound with one or more functional groups.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming modified particles that includes asurfactant comprising a) providing particles, b) providing a non-linearsurfactant, and c) causing the non-linear surfactant to attach to asurface of a plurality of the particles, wherein the particles areformed of metal, ceramic, cerment, graphite, plastic, resins, ormetalloids, and wherein the non-linear surfactant is formed of a basecompound with one or more functional groups, and wherein the basecompound includes a compound selected from the group consisting ofabietic acid, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes,terpenoids, sterols, graphenes and their derivatives, and wherein theone or more functional groups are selected from the group consisting ofalcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles,aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes,alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming modified particles that includes asurfactant comprising a) providing particles, b) providing a non-linearsurfactant, and c) causing the non-linear surfactant to attach to asurface of a plurality of the particles such that 30-100% (and allvalues and ranges therebetween) includes the non-linear surfactant.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming modified particles that includes asurfactant comprising a) providing particles, b) providing a non-linearsurfactant, and c) causing the non-linear surfactant to attach to asurface of a plurality of the particles, and wherein an average particlesize of the particles is 1 nm to 1 cm.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming modified particles that includes asurfactant comprising a) providing particles, b) providing a non-linearsurfactant, and c) causing the non-linear surfactant to attach to asurface of a plurality of the particles and wherein the non-linearsurfactant constitutes 0.0000001-10 wt. % (and all values and rangestherebetween) of the modified particle.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming modified particles that includes asurfactant comprising a) providing particles, b) providing a non-linearsurfactant, and c) causing the non-linear surfactant to attach to asurface of a plurality of the particles and wherein the non-linearsurfactant is formed of a base compound with one or more functionalgroups, and wherein the base compound includes a compound selected fromthe group consisting of abietic acid, polyaromatic hydrocarbons,steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids, sterols, graphenes and theirderivatives, and wherein the one or more functional groups are selectedfrom the group consisting of alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters,anhydrides, amides, nitriles, aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers,sulphides, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming modified particles that includes asurfactant comprising a) providing particles, b) providing a non-linearsurfactant, and c) causing the non-linear surfactant to attach to asurface of a plurality of the particles and wherein the non-linearsurfactant is formed of a base compound with one or more functionalgroups, and wherein the base compound includes a compound selected fromthe group consisting of monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids,sesterterpenoids, triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids, polyterpenoids,monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes, triterpenes,sesquarterpenes, tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons,bile acids, abietic acid, and their derivatives thereof.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming modified particles that includes asurfactant comprising a) providing particles, b) providing a non-linearsurfactant, and c) causing the non-linear surfactant to attach to asurface of a plurality of the particles and wherein the non-linearsurfactant is formed of a base compound with one or more functionalgroups, and wherein the base compound has an average particle size of0.2-1,000 nm (and all values and ranges therebetween).

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming modified particles that includes asurfactant comprising a) providing particles, b) providing a non-linearsurfactant, and c) causing the non-linear surfactant to attach to asurface of a plurality of the particles and wherein the non-linearsurfactant is formed of a base compound with one or more functionalgroups, and wherein the non-linear surfactant includes 50-99.9999 wt. %base compound (and all values and ranges therebetween) and 0.0001-50 wt.% function groups (and all values and ranges therebetween).

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method for forming modified particles that includes asurfactant comprising a) providing particles, b) providing a non-linearsurfactant, and c) causing the non-linear surfactant to attach to asurface of a plurality of the particles and wherein the non-linearsurfactant includes 3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid,abieta-7,8,13,14-tetrahydroxy-18-oic-acid,abieta-7-ene-13,14dihydroxy-18-oic-acid, cholic acid, chenodeoxycholicacid, and other non-linear molecular surfactants.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein thenon-linear surfactant constitutes about 0.001-5 wt. % of the mixture(and all values and ranges therebetween), the plastic resin constitutes35-99.989 wt. % of the mixture (and all values and ranges therebetween),and the reinforcement material constitutes 0.01-60 wt. % of the mixture(and all values and ranges therebetween).

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein thenon-linear surfactant constitutes about 0.01-2 wt. % of the mixture, theplastic resin constitutes 50.01-99.89 wt. % of the mixture, and thereinforcement material constitutes 0.1-49 wt. % of the mixture.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein thenon-linear surfactant constitutes about 0.05-1 wt. % of the mixture, theplastic resin constitutes 50.01-98.95 wt. % of the mixture, and thereinforcement material constitutes 1-49 wt. % of the mixture.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein a) thereinforcement material includes hydrophilic fibers and the plastic resinis a hydrophobic plastic resin, or b) the reinforcement materialincludes hydrophobic fibers and the plastic resin is a hydrophilicplastic resin.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein thenon-linear surfactant is formed of a base compound with one or morefunctional groups.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein thenon-linear surfactant is formed of a base compound with one or morefunctional groups, and wherein the base compound includes a compoundselected from the group consisting of abietic acid, polyaromatichydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids, sterols,graphenes and their derivatives, and wherein the one or more functionalgroups including a functional group selected from the group consistingof alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles,aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes,alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein thenon-linear surfactant is formed of a base compound with one or morefunctional groups, and wherein the base compound includesmonoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids,triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids, polyterpenoids, monoterpenes,sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes, triterpenes, sesquarterpenes,tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, bile acids,abietic acid, and their derivatives thereof.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein thenon-linear surfactant is formed of a base compound with one or morefunctional groups, and wherein the base compound has an average particlesize of 0.2-1,000 nm (and all values and ranges therebetween).

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein thenon-linear surfactant is formed of a base compound with one or morefunctional groups, and wherein the non-linear surfactant includes50-99.9999 wt. % base compound (and all values and ranges therebetween)and 0.0001-50 wt. % function groups (and all values and rangestherebetween).

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein thenon-linear surfactant is formed of a base compound with one or morefunctional groups, and wherein the non-linear surfactant includes3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid,abieta-7,8,13,14-tetrahydroxy-18-oic-acid,abieta-7-ene-13,14dihydroxy-18-oic-acid, cholic acid, chenodeoxycholicacid, and other non-linear molecular surfactants.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein theresin includes polyester resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, andsilicone resin.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein theresin includes polyolefin plastic resin.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein thereinforcement material includes carbon fibers, glass fibers, cellulosefibers, and/or polymer fibers.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein thereinforced plastic material has an increased impact strength of at least5% as compared to a reinforced plastic material having the samecomposition except is absent the non-linear surfactant.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein thereinforced plastic material has an increased impact strength of 5-35%(and all values and ranges therebetween) as compared to a reinforcedplastic material having the same composition except is absent thenon-linear surfactant.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein thereinforced plastic material has an increased flexural modulus andstrength of at least 2% as compared to a reinforced plastic materialhaving the same composition except is absent the non-linear surfactant.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant, and wherein thereinforced plastic material has an increased flexural modulus andstrength of 2-20% (and all values and ranges therebetween) as comparedto a reinforced plastic material having the same composition except isabsent the non-linear surfactant.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method of forming a reinforced plastic materialcomprising a) providing a plastic resin; b) providing a reinforcementmaterial; c) mixing the plastic resin, reinforcement material and anon-linear surfactant to form a mixture; and, d) curing, setting and/ordrying the plastic resin in the mixture to form the reinforced plasticmaterial.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method of forming a reinforced plastic materialcomprising a) providing a plastic resin; b) providing a reinforcementmaterial; c) mixing the plastic resin, reinforcement material and anon-linear surfactant to form a mixture; and, d) curing, setting and/ordrying the plastic resin in the mixture to form the reinforced plasticmaterial, and wherein the non-linear surfactant constitutes about0.001-5 wt. % of the mixture (and all values and ranges therebetween),the plastic resin constitutes 35-99.989 wt. % of the mixture (and allvalues and ranges therebetween), and the reinforcement materialconstitutes 0.01-60 wt. % of the mixture (and all values and rangestherebetween).

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method of forming a reinforced plastic materialcomprising a) providing a plastic resin; b) providing a reinforcementmaterial; c) mixing the plastic resin, reinforcement material and anon-linear surfactant to form a mixture; and, d) curing, setting and/ordrying the plastic resin in the mixture to form the reinforced plasticmaterial, and wherein i) the reinforcement material includes hydrophilicfibers and the plastic resin is a hydrophobic plastic resin, or ii) thereinforcement material includes hydrophobic fibers and the plastic resinis a hydrophilic plastic resin.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method of forming a reinforced plastic materialcomprising a) providing a plastic resin; b) providing a reinforcementmaterial; c) mixing the plastic resin, reinforcement material and anon-linear surfactant to form a mixture; and, d) curing, setting and/ordrying the plastic resin in the mixture to form the reinforced plasticmaterial, and wherein the non-linear surfactant is formed of a basecompound with one or more functional groups, and wherein the basecompound includes a compound selected from the group consisting ofabietic acid, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes,terpenoids, sterols, graphenes and their derivatives, and wherein theone or more functional groups include one or more functional groupsselected from the group consisting of alcohols, carboxylic acids,esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles, aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines,ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method of forming a reinforced plastic materialcomprising a) providing a plastic resin; b) providing a reinforcementmaterial; c) mixing the plastic resin, reinforcement material and anon-linear surfactant to form a mixture; and, d) curing, setting and/ordrying the plastic resin in the mixture to form the reinforced plasticmaterial, and wherein the non-linear surfactant is formed of a basecompound with one or more functional groups, and wherein the basecompound includes a compound selected from the group consisting ofmonoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids,triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids, polyterpenoids, monoterpenes,sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes, triterpenes, sesquarterpenes,tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, bile acids,abietic acid, and their derivatives thereof.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method of forming a reinforced plastic materialcomprising a) providing a plastic resin; b) providing a reinforcementmaterial; c) mixing the plastic resin, reinforcement material and anon-linear surfactant to form a mixture; and, d) curing, setting and/ordrying the plastic resin in the mixture to form the reinforced plasticmaterial, and wherein the non-linear surfactant is formed of a basecompound with one or more functional groups, and wherein the basecompound has an average particle size of 0.2-1,000 nm (and all valuesand ranges therebetween).

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method of forming a reinforced plastic materialcomprising a) providing a plastic resin; b) providing a reinforcementmaterial; c) mixing the plastic resin, reinforcement material and anon-linear surfactant to form a mixture; and, d) curing, setting and/ordrying the plastic resin in the mixture to form the reinforced plasticmaterial, and wherein the non-linear surfactant includes 50-99.9999 wt.% base compound and 0.0001-50 wt. % functional groups.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method of forming a reinforced plastic materialcomprising a) providing a plastic resin; b) providing a reinforcementmaterial; c) mixing the plastic resin, reinforcement material and anon-linear surfactant to form a mixture; and, d) curing, setting and/ordrying the plastic resin in the mixture to form the reinforced plasticmaterial, and wherein the non-linear surfactant includes3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid,abieta-7,8,13,14-tetrahydroxy-18-oic-acid,abieta-7-ene-13,14dihydroxy-18-oic-acid, cholic acid, chenodeoxycholicacid, and other non-linear molecular surfactants.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method of forming a reinforced plastic materialcomprising a) providing a plastic resin; b) providing a reinforcementmaterial; c) mixing the plastic resin, reinforcement material and anon-linear surfactant to form a mixture; and, d) curing, setting and/ordrying the plastic resin in the mixture to form the reinforced plasticmaterial, and wherein the resin includes polyester resin, epoxy resin,polyurethane resin, and silicone resin.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of a method of forming a reinforced plastic materialcomprising a) providing a plastic resin; b) providing a reinforcementmaterial; c) mixing the plastic resin, reinforcement material and anon-linear surfactant to form a mixture; and, d) curing, setting and/ordrying the plastic resin in the mixture to form the reinforced plasticmaterial, and wherein the reinforcement material includes carbon fibers,glass fibers, cellulose fibers, and/or polymer fibers.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, water andparticles.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, water, andparticles, and wherein the particles are suspended in the emulsionhaving an average particle size of less than 0.1 micron, the particlesconstitute about 1-50 wt. % of the emulsion (and all values and rangestherebetween), the non-linear surfactant constitutes about 0.001-5 wt. %of the emulsion (and all values and ranges therebetween), the waterconstitutes 45-98.999 wt. % of the emulsion (and all values and rangestherebetween).

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, water, andparticles, and wherein the particles are resin particles and/or organicparticles.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, water, andparticles, and wherein the non-linear surfactant is formed of a basecompound with one or more functional groups, and wherein the basecompound including a compound selected from the group consisting ofabietic acid, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes,terpenoids, sterols, graphenes and their derivatives, and wherein theone or more functional groups including a group selected from the groupconsisting of alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides,nitriles, aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes,alkynes, alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, waters andparticles, and wherein the base compound includes a compound selectedfrom the group consisting of monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids,diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids,polyterpenoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes,triterpenes, sesquarterpenes, tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatichydrocarbons, bile acids, abietic acid, and their derivatives thereof.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, water, andparticles, and wherein the base compound has an average particle size of0.2-1,000 nm (and all values and ranges therebetween).

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, water, andparticles, and wherein the non-linear surfactant includes 50-99.9999 wt.% base compound (and all values and ranges therebetween) and 0.0001-50wt. % functional groups (and all values and ranges therebetween).

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, water, andparticles, and wherein the non-linear surfactant includes3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid,abieta-7,8,13,14-tetrahydroxy-18-oic-acid,abieta-7-ene-13,14dihydroxy-18-oic-acid, cholic acid, chenodeoxycholicacid, and other non-linear molecular surfactants.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, water, andparticles, and wherein the particles include particles of polyesterresin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, and/or silicone resin.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, water, andparticles, and wherein the emulsion is used to form porous and solidsand beds in a subterranean structure.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, water andparticles, and wherein the emulsion is used to improve detergents,improve propensity for nano-sized micelles, and improve interfacialinteraction between hydrophobic and hydrophilic substituents.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, water, andparticles, and wherein the emulsion is used to promote the betterinterfacial interactions among the solution's composition members.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, water, andparticles, and wherein the emulsion is used to improve adsorption,dissolution, mixing, surface modification, and/or compatibilization.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, water, andparticles, and wherein the emulsion is used in various applicationsincluding oil and gas recovery, environmental remediation, surfacecleaning solutions or agents, cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations,medical therapies and others.

In another non-limiting object of the present disclosure, there is theprovision of an emulsion comprising a non-linear surfactant, water, andparticles, and wherein the emulsion is used in reservoir wettabilitymodification, oil viscosity reduction, drilling mud, isoelectriccontrolled surface absorbers, paraffin/asphalt deposition control,enhanced oil displacement, hydrocarbon dispersion, nanoemulsions,microbial-enhanced oil recovery, soil washing, remediation of oilspills, oil tank/container cleaning, unclogging of bore holes, compositeformulations, pharmaceutical formulations, cosmetic formulations,sweetening agents, taste masker, cell targeting, and other similarapplication areas.

Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the present disclosurewill become apparent from the following detailed description of thedisclosure when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a three-dimensional template structure shape (a platelet)that possesses two different functional regions (a hydrophobic half anda hydrophilic half) which can also be considered facial regions inaccordance with the present disclosure. The non-linear surfactant hasbeen surface modified such that hydrophilic functional groups arelocated on the top surface of the base compound or particle andhydrophobic functional groups are located on the bottom surface of thebase compound or particle. As can be appreciated, the non-linearsurfactant can be surface modified such that hydrophobic functionalgroups are located on the bottom surface of the base compound orparticle and hydrophilic functional groups are located on the topsurface of the base compound or particle.

FIG. 2 depicts a traditional linear prior art surfactant. It has an endthat is hydrophilic and an end that is hydrophobic. Both ends are freefor molecular movement independent of one another.

FIG. 3 depicts a three-dimensional template structure shape (a sphere;however, other shapes can exist) that possesses two different functionalregions, one being a response coating of a non-linear surfactant, whichcan also be considered facial regions. The bottom portion of theparticle has been masked (typically by use of a coating), to prevent thenon-linear surfactant from attaching to the bottom portion of theparticle. As such, only the top portion of the particle is illustratedas having non-linear surfactant attached to the particle.

FIG. 4 depicts another three-dimensional template structure shape (asphere; however, other shapes can exist) that possesses a full coatingof non-linear molecular surfactants, which in response to a bi-phaseinterface form two different functional regions, one being a responseexposing a hydrophobic facial region, and the other a response exposinghydrophilic facial region. The bottom portion of the particle hasnon-linear surfactant attached to the bottom portion of the particlethat include hydrophobic functional groups, and the top portion of theparticle as has non-linear surfactant attached to the top portion of theparticle that include hydrophilic functional groups. As can beappreciated, the bottom portion of the particle can have non-linearsurfactant attached to the bottom portion of the particle that includehydrophilic functional groups, and the top portion of the particle canhave non-linear surfactant attached to the top portion of the particlethat include hydrophobic functional groups.

FIG. 5 depicts a traditional prior art surfactant forming micellesaround a high surface energy particle.

FIG. 6 depicts a non-linear platelet surfactant forming a rigid micellestructure around a high surface energy particle in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however,to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be practicedwithout these specific details.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least onerepresentation of the present disclosure. The appearance of the phrase“in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are notnecessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate oralternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments.Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation ofquantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of thereferenced item. Moreover, various features are described which may beexhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, variousrequirements are described which may be requirements for someembodiments but not for other embodiments.

The embodiments are described herein for illustrative purposes and aresubject to many variations. It is understood that various omissions andsubstitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances maysuggest or render expedient, but are intended to cover the applicationor implementation without departing from the spirit or the scope of thepresent disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseologyand terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the descriptionand should not be regarded as limiting. Any heading utilized within thisdescription is for convenience only and has no legal or limiting effect.

With reference to the present disclosure, the non-linear surfactantdescribed in the disclosure below has applications in varied domainsincluding, but not limited to, recovering oils, environmentalremediation, surface cleaning agents, cosmetic formulations, compositematerials, and others.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure is the design ofnon-linear surfactants and their engineered production. The constructionof these amphiphilic structures can be achieved through a number ofsurface modification processes. Methods for producing region-controlledsurface modification for non-linear surfactants for applications inmarkets of material composites, oil and gas enhanced oil recovery,emulsion and dispersions, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, water and chemicalpurification are briefly described. Those skilled in the field ofsurface modification engineering can discern processing methods fromtraditional chemistry and surface modification.

The non-linear surfactants of the present disclosure are a unique classof surface activating agents in that their amphiphilic structure is arigid three-dimensional shape. The rigid amphiphilic surface facialparts act as platelet or particle couplers at the interfacial phaseboundary with improved affinity. Non-linear surfactants have improvedaffinity, lower solubilities, and critical miceller concentration thatare broad across a large concentration range. Traditional surfactants'molecular amphiphilicity is freely mobile to contort, which promoteshigher solution solubilities and propensity to form larger micelle orbilayer membranes between phases. Having low solubilities and a higherphase boundary affinity makes non-linear surfactants a desirablesurfactant choice in numerous industry applications that desire surfaceactivity at lower concentrations and reduced particle emulsion sizes.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, the non-linear surfactants thatare used to enhance oil recovery include a nanoparticle with rigidamphiphilic regions that possess specific isoelectric points controlledby pH. The specific isoelectric points of the molecule will be differentthan that of the well's formation rock's isoelectric point. By adjustingthe pH, the charged faces of the non-linear surfactant and rock face canbe controlled to promote the surfactant to permeate through thehydrophilic and hydrophobic barriers to the rock face and finallycontrolled for adsorption to the rock face. Surface modification of theconductive formation rock face to oleophilic or fluorophilic affinityreduces surface energies and friction of moving and flowing recoverypetroleum fluids.

The non-linear surfactants are comprised of molecular frameworkstructures ranging in size from 0.2-10,000 nm (and all values and rangestherebetween), and typically 0.5-1,000 nm. Non-linear surfactantspossess planar or three-dimensional amphiphilic structural regionscomprised of two or more functionalities.

The non-linear surfactants are comprised of molecules or particles thathave one or more similar functional groups characterized by similaraffinity for lipophilicity or hydrophilicity or halophilicity orsiliphilicity or hydrophobicity that reside on a plane, of which thatplane does not cross or intercede with the molecule's or particle'sopposing functional group plane. Opposing functional groups are thosewith different affinity, such as hydrophilic groups have opposingaffinity to lipophilic (hydrophobic), siliphilic, halophilic, in anon-limiting example of opposing functional group affinities.

The non-linear surfactant's amphiphilic functional group regions shouldbe rigid and intramolecularly respond to molecular movement ortranslation in a restricted response motion, and maintain regionaffinity plane restrictions previously described.

Those skilled in the chemical arts will be able to discern functionalgroups' appropriate affinity. A non-limiting example of functional groupaffinities include: hydrophilic functional groups—hydroxyl, alcohols,thiols, amines, carboxylic acids, ketones, aldehydes, amides, esters,methoxy peroxides, imides, imines, cyanates, nitrates, oximes,sulfoxides, sulfones, and similar nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur functionalgroups; lipophilic functional groups—methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, oligio-hydrocarbons, alkenes, alkyls, alkynes,cyclohydrocarbons, benzene rings, fluorocarbons; siliphilic functionalgroups—silicone, silenes, silanes; and halophilic functionalgroups—fluoroalkanes, chloroalkanes, bromoalkanes.

The molecular frameworks should be rigid, possess planar orthree-dimensional structure, and be comprised of inorganic or organicmaterial or combinations of both. Inorganic molecular frameworks may becomprises of planar structures that include, but are not limited to,graphene, graphyne, borophene, germanene, silicone, phosphorene,bismuthene, SiC, SiC₂, zinc oxides, carbonitrides, single-layercoordination polymers, and particles in the form of spheres, flakes,ribbons, irregular, pyramidal, cubic, diamond, or other simple orcomplex geometric shapes. Particle compositions may be comprised of oneor more inorganic materials that include, but are not limited to,metals, transition metals, metal oxides, ceramics, titanium oxides,silicon oxides, iron oxides, gold, silver, copper, aluminium, boroncomplexes, boronitrieds, borocarbonitrides, molybdenum disulphide,molybdenum oxides, vanadium oxides, zinc oxides, metal carbides,carbonitrides, B₂C, SiC, SiC₂, BSi₃, and mixtures thereof. Thesestructures may be produced through generally known particle generatingmethods that include, but are not limited to, synthetic generation,precipitations, milling, sonication, and cryogenic fracturing. Thoseskilled in the art of materials and particles production will be able togenerate molecular structures and core framework structures. Organicmolecular frameworks similarly may possess planar or three-dimensionalforms. In one non-limiting configuration, these organic molecularframeworks are made of ring structures.

The non-linear organic frames with cyclic ring structures may beobtained from biological and natural resources, such as the sterols,terpenes, cyclic hydrocarbon petroleum byproducts, and phytosterols fromagricultural collection or other synthetic production from naturaland/or abundant resources such as abietic acid, cholic acid, deoxycholicacid, lithcholic acid, cholesterol, chenodeoxycholic acid, and otherspecific molecular carbon ring structure molecules that have modifiablerigid cyclic-planar or three-dimensional structures. The non-linearorganic frames can also include the molecular structures ofmonoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids,triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids, polyterpenoids, monoterpenes,sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes, triterpenes, sesquarterpenes,tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and theirderivatives thereof.

Controlled region-modification of the molecular frameworks' facileregions can be completed through covalent bonding or mechanical means.Non-limiting examples include immobilized particle surface modificationfor single side directed modification that includes chemical ormechanical alterations, and region- and stereo-controlled syntheticmodifications. Immobilization of particles is designed to limit exposedsurface area to a partial portion for modification, which is completedby mechanical removal to an alternative exposed layer or chemicalalteration. Immobilization of particles may be completed by methods ofelectrostatic and adhesive adsorption, embedment into melt or plasticstage, embedment into solid melt emulsion particles, bi-phaseinterfacial emulsion, or combinations thereof. Immobilized partiallyexposed particle surfaces may then be modified by these non-limitingexamples: mechanical friction ware or chemical alterations throughreactions that include oxidative, reductive, addition, substitution,hydroxylation, metalization, acylation, esterification, nucleophilicaddition, nitrosylation, cyanation, amidation, CH functionalization,carbonylation, hydrocarboxylation, ammoxidation, allylation,nucleophilic substitution, acid hydrolysis, free radical addition,halide addition/substitution, elimination, electrophilic addition,oxidative addition, reductive elimination, oxidative coupling, andcombinations thereof. Chemical modifications may be performed throughthese non-limiting examples plasma surface modification, appliedcoatings, chemical vapour deposition, electroplating, solution/wetchemistry, and combinations thereof.

In one non-limiting embodiment, there is provided a biphase interfacemodification, including amphiphilic generation that is performed in situwithin the emulsion. The molecule or particle surface can be partiallymodified in emulsion systems with reactants localized to a desiredphase. The non-linear frame/scaffold is dispersed into a favorablemedium to which the opposing immiscible medium is added with reactantsfor imparting favorable affinity. Non-linear frame surfaces that comeinto contact at the emulsion interface will be region-modified to thedesired affinity and be held inbetween the emulsion phases.

For immobilizing particle scaffolds for region-surface modification, asolid with a low melting point can be used at a temperature above themelting point to form an emulsion. The emulsion can be sized to formdroplets to partially adsorb the non-linear particle scaffold/frame thatare cooled to solidify, immobilize and cover partial particle surfaceregions, so that collected immobilized non-linear surfactant particlesmay be modified in low temperature reactions, such as solution/wetchemistry or chemical vapour deposition.

The non-linear surfactant manufacturing can be regio- andstereo-controlled synthetic modifications to rigid molecular frameworks.Various types of classes of functional groups are able to be attached toparticle or molecular surfaces for modification to desired chemicalcharacteristics—producing different functional group couplings. Forexample, acid hydrolysis with HNO₃ or mixture with H₂SO₄ modifies thesurfaces to be more hydrophilic, with hydroxyl or carboxylate adductproducts. Non-limiting examples of region- and stereo-controlledreactions include electrogenerated radicles, hydrogenation, oxidation orreduction, nucleophilic substitution, nucleophilic addition,esterification, nitrosylation, cyanation, amidation, CHfunctionalization, carbonylation, hydrocarbonylation, ammoxidation,allyation, haloation, free-radican addition, electrophilic addition,oxidative coupling, 4+4 photocycloaddition, 6+4 cycloaddition, 4+3cycloaddition, hydroboration, enolate alkylation, epoxidation, andcombinations thereof. In one non-limiting configuration, regionmodification of organic molecular planar structures is used toselectively generate bifunctional facial sides from unsaturated andsaturated carbon ring systems. Modification-synthetic methods includehydroxylation of alkenes, syn-alkene modification, pseudo-equatorialaldol reactions and enolate-alkylations. Non-limiting examples ofchemical modification methods for region modification of alkenesincludes epoxidation with back side hydrophobic nucleophiles,oxymercuration-demercuration, alkoxymercuration-demercuration,hydroboration, carbine addition, dihydroxylation by peroxides,dihydroxylation by osmium tetraoxide, dihydroxylation by permanganate,and similar modifications to methods thereof.

The modifications can include any number of these chemical or mechanicalmethods in any number or order of methods. The listed methods do notserve as an exhaustive limiting list, but for a general description ofpracticed methods for those not skilled in the art of chemistry. Thosethat are skilled will see the general embodying methods for capabilityto region-specifically modify rigid template particles and molecules fornon-linear surfactant designs.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thepresent disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practicalapplication, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe present disclosure and various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

EXAMPLES

These examples describe non-limiting embodiments of the presentdisclosure and detail their design and use.

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a planar surfactant3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid was used in the interfacialcompatibilization between hydrophilic cellulose fibers and hydrophobicpolyolefin plastic resin. A 0.125 weight percent addition of the planarsurfactant to the composition enhanced compounding of the immisciblereinforcing cellulose filler and plastic, resulting in a 27.5% increasein impact strength. (12.13 ft lbs/in²→15.47 ft lbs/in²), and anapproximate 4% increase in flexural modulus and strength (0.84 GPa→0.87GPa modulus; 19.6 MPa→20.5 MPa strength). Loadings in these types ofcompounding applications can range from 0.001-50 wt. % (and all valuesand ranges therebetween). Comparatively, for similar compoundingadditives, traditional surfactants are needed in twice to five times theamount.

In an example embodiment of platelet surfactants application in emulsionsuspensions, 3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid was used at 71mM concentration in a 23 wt. % solids solution suspension of bisphenolA/epichlorohydrin-derived liquid epoxy resin, producing a nanoemulsionwith a particle size dispersion of a D₅₀: 450 nm. The suspension wasmaintained for up to 1 month unchanged. A comparative emulsion withtraditional surfactants had a particle size dispersion of D₅₀: 1.43 μm.The resulting platelet surfactant nanoemulsion has a doubly improvedpumping efficiency for penetrating through tight sand packs than atraditional surfactant emulsion-depositing uniformly and at twice thedistance.

An example of an isoelectric non-linear molecular surfactant is amodified rigid ring structure with a zwitterionic to control solubilityand surface activity. Molecular surfactant is defined as a group ofatoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of achemical compound. In one non-limiting descriptive example, cholic acidis bound to a zwitterionic bi-functional compound, such as threonine.One (1) equivalent of cholic acid is suspended in an aprotic polarsolvent, tetrahydrofurane with the addition of a base catalysis,pyridine. The primed rigid ring moiety structure is titrated with one(1) to three (3) equivalents of a zwitterionic coupling agent, and/orsilane threonine, in an aprotic polar solvent. Purified product hasapplications in surface modification chemistry across materials andproduction markets. One non-limiting identified application is the oiland gas industry's unconventional resource collections through improvingproduction recovery by controlling the rock wettability and reducing thetranslation motion energy through rock porosity and fractures. Thezwitterionic nature of the isoelectric non-linear molecular surfactantenables the production recovery increase by allowing the production teamto control when the surfactant becomes insoluble and favors surfaceadsorption to the formation's porous and fracture surface. The threoninebound zwitterionic bi-functional compound allows for solubility of thesurfactant into pumping solutions controlled to a pH below 5.5, andtriggered to adsorb to the rock face when the pH is changed to 5.6.

The example presented above is non-limiting to the example's materialsand reagents. Chemical materials described are a general term for theclass of materials that fit the the chemical category. A non-limitingexample of rigid ring-structured molecules includes cholic acid,chenodeoxycholic acid, bile acids, cholesterol, terpenoids, steroids,polycyclic aromatics, etc. and all their derivatives. A non-limitingexample of zwitterionic bi-functional compounds include serine,arginine, threonine, tyrosine, glutamine, asparagine, glutamic acid,etc. and all their derivatives. A non-limiting example of organic basesinclude pyridine, methylamine, imidazole, histidine, guanidine, etc. Anon-limiting example of nonpolar aprotic solvents includestetrahydrofuran, acetone, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, dimethylsulfoxide, etc.

This example demonstrates the embodiment of modifying non-linearsurfactants for isoelectric point solubility control. Cholic acid ismodified by having threonine attached to its C24 functional pendantgroup. This modification imparts the amino acid's isoelectric point andwill enable control for where and when the non-linear surfactant cholicacid adheres or forms critical micellization aggregates. Products ofthis example can be used in the oil and gas industry as an additive toimprove sweet efficiency. The non-linear surfactant with engineeredisoelectric point can be transported down to a subterranean formation ata soluble pH and then, when triggered by a pH change to the compound'spI, becomes less soluble and adsorbs onto the formation rock surface;thus promoting lower surface interfacial energies due to the amphiphilicmature of the non-linear surfactant.

Another non-limiting example modification to rigid ring structures formaking non-linear molecular surfactants is the regio-selective chemicalmodification to a single facial side. In this example, a natural orsynthetic rigid ring molecule (abietic acid) is modified throughregio-selective control at a single planar facial side using ozoneoxidation to generate hydroxyl functional groups. Regio-selectivecontrol is achieved through using a bi-phase suspension to drive singlefacial modification at the bi-phase interface. One equivalent of abieticacid was dissolved into a solution of dichloromethane to a 0.5Mconcentration, then dispersed thoroughly into a bi-phase suspension withwater at a ratio of 3 to 1 volume dichloromethane to water. Using anozone generator, ozone was bubbled through the mixing suspension forapproximately 10 equivalents of O₃, ozone. Modification was monitored byFTIR and NMR spectroanalysis. Product comprised of a variation of singleface hydroxylated abietic acid derivatives. These non-linear molecularsurfactants include abieta-7,8,13,14-tetrahydroxy-18-oic-acid,abieta-7,8-dihyrdoxy-13-ene-18-oic-acid, andabieta-7-ene-13,14dihydroxy-18-oic-acid, which can be purified by meansof column chromatography.

The example presented here is non-limiting and can be modified.Different reagents and non-linear rigid ring structure startingmaterials can be substituted to achieve other claimed non-linearsurfactant molecular derivatives. Non-limiting examples of rigid ringstructural molecules include polycyclic structures like polyaromatichydrocarbons (e.g., anthracene, phenanthrene, chrysene, pyrene,benzo[a]pyrene, corannulene, coronene, etc.), steroids (e.g., cholicacid, chenodeoxycholic acid, progesterone, phytosterol, testosteron,dexamethasone, cholesterol, ergosterol, zymosterol, etc.), terpenes(e.g., abietic acid, limonene, humulene, taxadiene, pinene, humulene,cafestol, kahweol, cembrene, Lanosterol, etc.). Non-limiting examples ofoxidative reagents include ozone, ozonides, superoxides, sodiumperborate, KMnO₄, H₂CrO₄, pyridinium chlorochromate, peroxides (e.g.,hydrogen peroxide, peroxymonosulfuric acid, peroxodisulfate, phosphorusoxides, sodium peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, ascaridole, Acetyl acetoneperoxide, etc.), and can range in equivalent additions from 0.5equivalent to 10,000 equivalents. Non-limiting solution concentrationsrange from 0.01 mM to 10M, and include non-limiting bi-phase solutionsof water with hexanes, heptane, toluene, benzene, cyclohexane, etc.Those skilled in the art of chemistry are able to derive other syntheticmethods and reagents that still fall under the intent of the disclosednon-linear molecular surfactants presented herein.

Non-linear molecular surfactants have a non-limiting application for usein surface modification of composite fillers for improving compoundingof immiscible materials with surface incompatibilities, such asmodification of cellulose nanofibers to favourably compound intopolyethylene. Another non-limiting application for use of non-linearsurfactant molecules includes modification of particles in creation ofhierarchical non-linear surfactant particles.

A non-limiting example of a non-linear surfactant that highlightsparticle engineering includes the modification of particles withnon-linear molecular surfactants, such as covalently bonding bile acidsto the surface of an iron particle. Using 100 grams (1 equivalent) ofspherical 1-3 μm iron powder suspended into a solution of 250 mL oftoluene with vigorous mixing add 0.13 milligrams (1.314×10⁻⁴ weightequivalent)(10× surface area equivalent) of chenodeoxycholyl chloride atroom temperature while under inert atmosphere. The acid halide ofchenodeoxycholic acid reacts at the surface of the iron particle,attaching a pendant non-linear surfactant to the iron particle, andcovalently attaching a pendant non-linear surfactant to the 3D rigidsurface of the particle. This product has a non-limiting application foruse in emulsions and dispersions chemistry, and surface coatingmaterials where conformable surface response enables a new range ofdifferent phase interactions, such as a Pickering emulsion.

The example presented here is non-limiting and can be modified and usedifferent reagents for producing the disclosed non-linear surfactantparticles. Non-limiting examples of particle substrate include sphericaland irregular shapes ranging in sizes of 1 nm to 1 cm and be comprisedof elemental metals and non-metals, metal alloys, ceramics, and organicmaterials.

Non-limiting examples of coupling reactions for surface modificationinclude acid halide coupling, silane coupling, acid anhydride coupling,click coupling, Gringard reaction, Corey House reaction, Heck reaction,Suzuki reaction, etc. Material reagents and reaction conditions will bedictated by the chemical coupling reaction. Non-linear surfactantmolecular compounds that can be coupled to particles include thosedescribed herein.

Another non-limiting example of a non-linear surfactant that highlightshierarchical particle engineering includes the dissymmetric modificationof a particle's surface (Janus Particles) with non-linear surfactants,such as covalently bonding abieta-7,8,13,14-tetrahydroxy-18-oic-acid toa limited region of the particle surface. A batch of Al₂O₃ 10-35particles were pretreated by a method of liquid melt-solid suspensionmasking to cover and inhibit reaction from a partial region on the Al₂O₃particles. This regio-controlling method keeps the surface modificationto a limited region, creating dissymmetric modification. Themodification was performed by suspending the masked Al₂O₃ particles (100g, 1 weight equivalent) in dichloromethane (500 mL) with (0.52×10⁻⁴weight equivalent)(10× surface area equivalent)abieta-7,8,13,14-tetrahydroxy-18-oic-acid derivative using Steglichesterification (EDCL, DMAP) at room temperature for 16 hours. Aftermodification, the regio-controlling mask coating was removed by meltsolvation in solution. The product non-linear amphiphilic Janus particleis capable of responding to environmental phase changes and switch itsnon-linear coated region from responding hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic orin the opposite.

The non-limiting examples presented here is non-limiting and can bemodified and use different reagents for producing the disclosednon-linear surfactant particles. Non-limiting examples of particlesubstrate include elemental metals and non-metals, metal alloys,ceramics, polymers, and hybrids with particle sizes ranging from 1 nm to1 cm and either uniform or irregular shapes (including spherical, cube,flakes, platelets, etc.). Non-limiting dissymmetric modification methodsinclude adhesion masking, static masking, suspension melt-solid masking,single side directional activation coupling, bi-phase suspensioncontrolled coupling, etc. Non-limiting non-linear molecular surfactantsinclude abieta-7,8,13,14-tetrahydroxy-18-oic-acid,abieta-7,8-dihydroxy-13-ene-tetrahydroxy-18-oic-acidabieta-7-ene-13,14-dihydroxy-tetrahydroxy-18-oic-acid, terpenederivatives, squalene derivatives, steroid derivatives, polyaromatichydrocarbon derivatives, etc. Non-limiting examples of couplingreactions for surface modification include acid halide coupling, silanecoupling, acid anhydride coupling, click coupling, Gringard reaction,Corey House reaction, Heck reaction, Suzuki reaction, etc. Materialreagents and reaction conditions will be dictated by the chemicalcoupling reaction

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, andsince certain changes may be made in the constructions set forth withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description and shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. The disclosure has been described with reference topreferred and alternate embodiments. Modifications and alterations willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding the detailed discussion of the disclosure provided herein.This disclosure is intended to include all such modifications andalterations insofar as they come within the scope of the presentdisclosure. It is also to be understood that the following claims areintended to cover all of the generic and specific features of thedisclosure herein described and all statements of the scope of thedisclosure, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. The disclosure has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiments. These and other modifications of the preferredembodiments as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will beobvious from the disclosure herein, whereby the foregoing descriptivematter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure andnot as a limitation. It is intended to include all such modificationsand alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed:
 1. A non-linear surfactant comprising bi-functionalizedmolecules and/or particles having both hydrophobic and hydrophilicgroups, said non-linear surfactant includes a rigid molecular basecompound, said base compound bi-functionalized with both hydrophilic andhydrophobic functional groups to obtain an amphiphilic particle.
 2. Thenon-linear surfactant as defined in claim 1, wherein said base compoundincludes an organic and/or an inorganic material.
 3. The non-linearsurfactant as defined in claim 1, wherein said base compound includes anorganic ring structure support template of abietic acid, polyaromatichydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids, sterols,graphenes, and their derivatives.
 4. The non-linear surfactant asdefined in claim 3, wherein said base compound includes monoterpenoids,sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, triterpenoids,tetraterpenoids, polyterpenoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes,diterpenes, sestererpenes, triterpenes, sesquarterpenes, tetraterpenes,polyterpenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, bile acids, abietic acid, andtheir derivatives thereof.
 5. The non-linear surfactant as defined inclaim 1, wherein said base compound has an average particle size of0.2-1,000 nm.
 6. The non-linear surfactant as defined in claim 1,wherein said functional groups on said base compound form an ionicsurface charge, a hydrophilic region, a hydrophobic region, a lipophilicregion, an omniphobic region, and an omniphilic region.
 7. Thenon-linear surfactant as defined in claim 1, wherein said functionalgroups on said base compound include two or more groups consisting ofalcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles,aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes,alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls.
 8. The non-linear surfactant asdefined in claim 2, wherein said non-linear surfactant is attached to anouter surface of a base particle, said base particle includes one ormore metals, ceramics, cerments, non-metals, plastics, resins, and/ormetalloids.
 9. The non-linear surfactant as defined in claim 8, whereinsaid base particle includes iron, aluminium, magnesium, titanium,tungsten, copper, titanium oxides, silicon oxides, iron oxides,aluminium oxides, magnesium oxides, boron oxides, tungsten oxides,tungsten carbide, boron carbide, silicon carbide, titanium carbide,titanium phosphates, silicon phosphates, clays, graphites, andcombinations thereof.
 10. The non-linear surfactant as defined in claim1, wherein said non-linear surfactant can be used as a surfactant,wetting agent, emulsifier, detergent or other surface active agents, orfor the preparation of nano-emulsions or dispersions.
 11. The non-linearsurfactant as defined in claim 1, wherein said non-linear surfactant canimprove detergents, improve propensity for nano-sized micelles, andimprove interfacial interaction between hydrophobic and hydrophilicsubstituents.
 12. The non-linear surfactant as defined in claim 1,wherein said non-linear surfactant can be used in a solution to promotethe better interfacial interactions among the solution's compositionmembers.
 13. The non-linear surfactant as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid non-linear surfactant can provide an improved adsorption,dissolution, mixing, surface modification, and/or compatibilization atconcentrations between 0.1 micromolar and 100 molar.
 14. The non-linearsurfactant as defined in claim 1, wherein said non-linear surfactant canused in various applications including oil and gas recovery,environmental remediation, surface cleaning solutions or agents,cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations, medical therapies and others.15. The non-linear surfactant as defined in claim 1, wherein saidnon-linear surfactant can used in reservoir wettability modification,oil viscosity reduction, drilling mud, isoelectric controlled surfaceabsorbers, paraffin/asphalt deposition control, enhanced oildisplacement, hydrocarbon dispersion, nano-emulsions, microbial-enhancedoil recovery, soil washing, remediation of oil spills, oiltank/container cleaning, unclogging of bore holes, compositeformulations, pharmaceutical formulations, cosmetic formulations,sweetening agents, taste masker, cell targeting, and other similarapplication areas.
 16. A method for forming a non-linear surfactantcomprising: a. providing a base compound, said base compound including acompound selected from the group consisting of abietic acid,polyaromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids,sterols, graphenes and their derivatives, b. reacting said base compoundwith an oxidative reagent, said oxidative reagent including a reagentselected from the group consisting of ozone, KMnO₄, H₂CrO₄, pyridiniumchlorochromate, and peroxides to form a plurality of functional groupson said base compound, said functional groups including one or moregroups selected from alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides,amides, nitriles, aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides,alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls.
 17. The method asdefined in claim 16, wherein said base compound includes a compoundselected from the group consisting of monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids,diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids,polyterpenoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes,triterpenes, sesquarterpenes, tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatichydrocarbons, bile acids, abietic acid, and their derivatives thereof.18. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein said base compound has anaverage particle size of 0.2-1,000 nm.
 19. The method as defined inclaim 16, wherein said non-linear surfactant includes 50-99.9999 wt. %base compound and 0.0001-50 wt. % functional groups.
 20. The method asdefined in claim 16, further including the step of forming a mixture ofsaid base compound, hydrophilic liquid, and hydrophobic liquid andadding said oxidative reagent to said mixture to cause said functionalgroups to form on said base compound.
 21. The method as defined in claim16, wherein said non-linear surfactant includes3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid,abieta-7,8,13,14-tetrahydroxy-18-oic-acid,abieta-7-ene-13,14dihydroxy-18-oic-acid, cholic acid, chenodeoxycholicacid, and other non-linear molecular surfactants.
 22. A method forforming a modified particle that includes a plurality of non-linearsurfactants comprising: a. providing particles, said particles formed ofmetal, ceramic, cerment, graphite, plastic, resins, or metalloids; b.providing a non-linear surfactant, said non-linear surfactant formed ofa base compound with one or more functional groups, said base compoundincluding a compound selected from the group consisting of abietic acid,polyaromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids,sterols, graphenes and their derivatives, said one or more functionalgroups including a group selected from the group consisting of alcohols,carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles, aldehydes,boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes, alkylhalides, nitro, and alkyls, and, c. causing said non-linear surfactantto attach to a surface of a plurality of said particles such that anouter surface of said particles is covered by 30-100% of said non-linearsurfactant thereby forming said modified particles.
 23. The method asdefined in claim 22, wherein an average particle size of said particlesis 1 nm to 1 cm.
 24. The method as defined in claim 22, wherein saidnon-linear surfactant constitutes 0.0000001-10 wt. % of said modifiedparticle.
 25. A reinforced plastic material comprising plastic resin,reinforcement material, and a non-linear surfactant.
 26. The reinforcedplastic material as defined in claim 25, wherein said non-linearsurfactant constitutes about 0.001-5 wt. % of said mixture, said plasticresin constitutes 35-99.989 wt. % of said mixture, and saidreinforcement material constitutes 0.01-60 wt. % of said mixture. 27.The reinforced plastic material as defined in claim 25, wherein a) saidreinforcement material includes hydrophilic fibers and said plasticresin is a hydrophobic plastic resin, or b) said reinforcement materialincludes hydrophobic fibers and said plastic resin is a hydrophilicplastic resin.
 28. The reinforced plastic material as defined in claim25, wherein said non-linear surfactant is formed of a base compound withone or more functional groups, said base compound including a compoundselected from the group consisting of abietic acid, polyaromatichydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids, sterols,graphenes and their derivatives, said one or more functional groupsincluding a group selected from the group consisting of alcohols,carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles, aldehydes,boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes, alkylhalides, nitro, and alkyls.
 29. The reinforced plastic material asdefined in claim 25, wherein said resin includes polyester resin, epoxyresin, polyurethane resin, and silicone resin.
 30. The reinforcedplastic material as defined in claim 25, wherein said reinforcementmaterial includes carbon fibers, glass fibers, cellulose fibers, and/orpolymer fibers.
 31. A method of forming a reinforced plastic materialcomprising: a. providing a plastic resin; b. providing a reinforcementmaterial; c. mixing said plastic resin, reinforcement material, and anon-linear surfactant to form a mixture; and, d. curing said plasticresin in said mixture to form said reinforced plastic material.
 32. Themethod as defined in claim 31, wherein said non-linear surfactantconstitutes about 0.001-5 wt. % of said mixture, said plastic resinconstitutes 35-99.989 wt. % of said mixture, and said reinforcementmaterial constitutes 0.01-60 wt. % of said mixture.
 33. The method asdefined in claim 31, wherein a) said reinforcement material includeshydrophilic fibers and said plastic resin is a hydrophobic plasticresin, or b) said reinforcement material includes hydrophobic fibers andsaid plastic resin is a hydrophilic plastic resin.
 34. The method asdefined in claim 31, wherein said non-linear surfactant is formed of abase compound with one or more functional groups, said base compoundincluding a compound selected from the group consisting of abietic acid,polyaromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids,sterols, graphenes and their derivatives, said one or more functionalgroups including a group selected from the group consisting of alcohols,carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles, aldehydes,boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes, alkylhalides, nitro, and alkyls.
 35. The method as defined in claim 31,wherein said resin includes polyester resin, epoxy resin, polyurethaneresin, and/or silicone resin.
 36. The method as defined in claim 31,wherein said reinforcement material includes carbon fibers, glassfibers, cellulose fibers, and/or polymer fibers.
 37. An emulsioncomprising a non-linear surfactant, water and resin particles, saidresin particles suspended in said emulsion having an average particlesize of less than 0.1 micron, said resin particles constitute about 1-50wt. % of said emulsion, said non-linear surfactant constitutes about0.001-5 wt. % of said emulsion, said water constitutes 45-98.999 wt. %of said emulsion.
 38. The emulsion as defined in claim 37, wherein saidnon-linear surfactant is formed of a base compound with one or morefunctional groups, said base compound including a compound selected fromthe group consisting of abietic acid, polyaromatic hydrocarbons,steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids, sterols, graphenes and theirderivatives, said one or more functional groups including a groupselected from the group consisting of alcohols, carboxylic acids,esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles, aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines,ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls.39. The emulsion as defined in claim 37, wherein said resin particlesinclude particles of polyester resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin,and/or silicone resin.
 40. The emulsion as defined in claim 37, whereinsaid emulsion is used to form porous and solid sand beds in asubterranean structure.